We use so many different products each day, and it's really hard to know where they all come from or what goes into creating/obtaining those products. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative events that occur behind the scenes in many well-known companies. I just recently read an article about big companies like Mary Kay, Avon, and Estee Lauder resuming to test their products on animals, and I feel like a lot of people are unaware. This doesn't just mean putting lipstick on bunnies or seeing how well a skin cream helps moisturize a rat's skin. There's a lot more cruelty that goes into testing products on animals, and it is something that many animal rights activists, like myself, are trying to stop.
There is a large list of companies that test their products on animals, but this particular incident is significant because these three companies claimed to be cruelty-free. About 30 years ago, PETA revealed the sad truth about these three companies' animal testing activities to the public. Starting in 1989, Avon, Mary Kay, and Estee Lauder responded by changing their ways and banning all animal testing associated with the companies. According to PETA currently, these companies have resumed testing on animals because the Chinese government requires this testing to market products in China. They kept these details from the public and falsely advertised their products to customers. The only one out of these companies that is trying to put a stop to this Chinese requirement is Mary Kay. PETA and other animal rights groups are working with them to combat these cruel actions and push China towards better technological alternatives.Testing on animals is wrong in every way, but it's much worse when customers think they are getting products that aren't associated with that. Some other companies that publicly test on animals today include Johnson & Johnson, Revlon, Proctor & Gamble, L'Oreal, Arm & Hammer, Bayer, Clorox, S.C. Johnson, and so much more. The complete list of companies can be found here: PETA's Do Test List. It has been scientifically proven that animals feel emotions and pain the same way that we do, so what makes it any different from cruelly testing your company's products on your children? It seems downright disgusting when you put it that way, but our society seems to see animals as expendable objects, and that's just not right.
Fortunately, with all the companies that do test on animals, there are just as many that don't. Some of these companies are Bath & Body Works, Conair, E.L.F. Cosmetics, H&M, IT Cosmetics, Ulta, Kenra, Paul Mitchell, wet n wild, and many more! For a complete list of companies visit PETA's Do Not Test List. There aren't as many big name companies on this list, but maybe it's time those big name companies had a run for their money. It may just persuade them to change their ways and cater to the needs of their customers. The products associated with these non-animal testing companies are probably much better for you anyway, so you get to help animals and treat yourself to better products at the same time. Companies will stop testing on animals if they see that it causes customers to buy elsewhere and hurt their bottom lines. There is a massive number of companies that choose to be cruelty-free, remain successful, and keep many products just as affordable as they are with animal testing. With so many companies moving towards this more positive direction, I don't understand why all of the others don't do the same. Dr. Paul Farmer once said, "The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong in the world." Our society needs to realize this and work towards a better, more caring world. Now go make a difference and tell those companies you want cruelty-free products!
